Finally! On to the NFL playoffs with two games on Saturday (Browns vs. Texans and Dolphins vs. Chiefs), three on Sunday (Steelers vs. Bills, Packers vs. Cowboys and Rams vs. Lions) and one Monday night (Eagles vs. Buccaneers ). ). It's the start of the road to the Super Bowl and there's certainly no shortage of intrigue in this long weekend of tough battles. To whet your appetite for tomorrow's predictions, here are 10 stories to watch from this first round of eliminations.
• Also read: Who deserves it most in the NFL?
A reunion in Detroit
Matthew Stafford will rejoin his former team in Detroit. Getty Images via AFP
The duel that probably makes many fans' mouths water the most is between the Rams and the Lions. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, the first overall pick in 2009, will make his comeback in Detroit after representing the Lions through 2020. Ironically, he was traded to the Rams for multiple picks in the draft and quarterback Jared Goff. The latter was also a first-round pick by the Rams in 2016. It will be the first playoff duel in NFL history between two quarterbacks playing against their former team. It should also be noted that Lions general manager Brad Holmes was employed by the Rams from 2003 to 2020.
He's going to make a splash in Kansas City…
Protecting yourself from the cold in Kansas City requires more than just ski goggles. Getty Images via AFP
At games in January, Mother Nature sometimes takes center stage. That will be the case Saturday night in Kansas City. The Dolphins will leave the palm trees of Miami for a city where the temperature is expected to drop to -17 degrees Celsius (feels like -26 degrees with good gusts). The coldest playoff game ever occurred on December 31, 1967 in Green Bay, when the Packers beat the Cowboys on a beautiful -25 degree (felt like -44) day. Most recently, on January 10, 2016, the Vikings, playing temporarily in an open stadium while their current dome was constructed, hosted the Seahawks in Minnesota in what felt like -21 degrees (-32 degrees). The Dolphins vs. Chiefs duel could well be the third coldest in history.
The youngest team
The Packers are the youngest team in the NFL this season. Getty Images via AFP
In recent days, several media outlets have mentioned the fact that the Packers would become the youngest team in history to qualify for the playoffs. While this team is the youngest this season, Elias Sports Bureau data suggests the Packers' average age of 25.58 has been exceeded three times in previous series. Since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, the 1970 Bengals (25.22 years), 1970 Dolphins (25.44 years), and 1974 Bills (25.56 years) are listed as the teams with the youngest average age in the playoffs. Still, the Packers' performance is remarkable. Young people are particularly represented among pass catchers: seven wingers have entry-level contracts, so there are only 7.5 million in total.
Stroud's beginnings
CJ Stroud is on his way to winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Getty Images via AFP
In Houston, all eyes will be on young Texans quarterback CJ Stroud, who is making his first NFL playoff start. At 22 years and 102 days, he could also become the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game. The brand is currently owned by Michael Vick, who led the Falcons to a playoff victory in 2002 at age 22 years, 192 days. However, the task promises to be gigantic. Over the last 10 years, the record of rookie centers in their first playoff start is 1-5, according to CBS Sports. Historically, they have completed just 55% of their passes for an average of 189 yards per game, with 33 touchdowns and 42 interceptions. No quarterback taken in the top two of the draft won their first start.
A black series
Star defenseman Aidan Hutchinson hopes to finally bring joy to Lions fans in Detroit. Getty Images via AFP
It is common knowledge that the Lions have waited 30 years for this moment, a playoff game in Detroit. You should also know that they are looking for their first playoff win since January 5, 1992 when they defeated the Cowboys. Sunday marks the 32nd nine-day anniversary of the last playoff triumph. This is the longest active streak in the NFL and the third longest in league history. Poor lions, they are also in second place in this regard, having waited 34 years and 7 days, between December 29, 1957 and January 5, 1992, for their previous triumphs before their current black series. Is a victory for the 32 to 34 year olds asking too much? Be aware that the Cardinals have the saddest streak. It took 51 years and 5 days, between December 28, 1947 and January 2, 1999, for them to triumph.
Always empty-handed
With Juan Tornhill and the Browns now in the playoffs, they are hoping to win their first Super Bowl in team history. Getty Images via AFP
Speaking of long years of misery: The coming weekend should almost be considered a paranormal phenomenon. In fact, for the first time in 23 years, the playoff standings include three teams that have never played in the Super Bowl. We're talking about the Lions, the Browns and the Texans (who at least have the good excuse of being founded in 2002). The last time such a scenario played out was in 2000. At that time, the Ravens, Buccaneers and Saints were the affected teams. To top it off, the three have since received major awards. Also note that the last time the Lions and Browns had at least ten wins like this season, they faced each other in the championship in 1953!
Old teammates…
Mike Tomlin and Sean McDermott will meet again, they were teammates in their youth. Getty Images via AFP
The Steelers and Bills will face each other in the playoffs for the first time since 1996. The duel will be special for the two head coaches Sean McDermott and Mike Tomlin. For two years, 1993 and 1994, the two current opponents were teammates at the College of William & Mary in Virginia. Steelers' Mike Tomlin played receiver and every day in practice he had to separate himself from defensive back Sean McDermott. Since Tomlin and McDermott have been in their current positions, they have faced each other four times, but never in a playoff duel. McDermott and the Bills won three of four games.
An old hand and his bonuses
At Christmas, Joe Flacco, who had the upper hand in the last duel, attacks the Texans again. Getty Images via AFP
Joe Flacco's magical return to the game has generated a lot of interest in recent weeks. The 38-year-old veteran appeared closer to retirement than the playoffs when the Browns, depleted at the quarterback position, contacted him in November. Flacco has been on fire ever since. That's good for the Browns, but also for the veteran's bank account. Basically, he agreed on the basis of a fairly minimal contract, but one full of bonuses. He received $75,000 for each of his four wins, and the Browns gave him the same amount when they kept him out of uniform last Sunday as a precaution. A win against the Texans on Saturday would net him $250,000. Another win in the second round would net him $500,000 and a whopping million in the conference finals. For the Super Bowl, the jackpot would increase to 2 million.
Hill's return to Arrowhead
Tyreek Hill will look to show off his trademark explosive plays against the Chiefs. Getty Images via AFP
Obviously one of the big stories of the week is the return of explosive Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Hill was extremely productive with the Chiefs from 2016 to 2021, as he was a fifth-round pick. However, he just had his two most impressive seasons with the Dolphins, rushing for 1,710 and 1,799 yards and 21 touchdowns. Hill met the Chiefs on November 5th, but the expected reunion took place in Germany. Destiny has done well, but Hill may be weakened by an ankle injury he has been carrying since December 11th. Since then, he has averaged 79 yards per game with just one touchdown.
The terrible fate of the sevenths
Steelers fans are hoping this isn't a quick exit for Mason Rudolph. Getty Images via AFP
The NFL introduced a new series format in 2020, switching to 14 teams instead of 12. This means that seven teams will now qualify for each conference. To this day, the teams that secure the seventh and final ticket in each conference don't stay awake for long. In fact, the teams in seventh place have zero wins and six defeats. Worse, four of those six games were decided by margins of 12 points or more. This year the “lucky” winners are the Steelers in the American conference and the Packers in the national one. Both come with Mason Rudolph and Jordan Love as quarterbacks making their first starts. In the first round since 2002, starting quarterbacks are 15-39.